Kids Who Do Well On This Spatial Intelligence Test May Have Potential That's Going Completely Unrealized

It's no surprise that high verbal and math SAT scores at a young age might predict future success, but when you add a test for spatial reasoning ability to the mix, you get an even better predictor of someone's future accomplishments, creativity, and innovative potential, a recent study found.

The study, from Vanderbilt professors Harrison J. Kell, David Lubinski, Camilla P. Benbow, and James H. Steiger, found a particularly strong effect for math, science, and related fields.

The data comes from a group of 13-year-olds who already tested in the top 0.5% of their age group in cognitive ability. All were given the SAT and a subset the Differential Aptitude Test, which measures spatial reasoning ability.

Spatial reasoning is basically the ability to manipulate 2D and 3D objects in your head. The authors and others argue that this sort of intelligence is badly neglected in our current education and testing systems, and that by giving it earlier and better emphasis, we can help unleash more high potential individuals.

Wondering if you or your child has this particular ability?

An earlier paper by two of the authors along with Duke professor and Business Insider contributor Jonathan Wai gives some example questions. Think you could do well on a set of 20 of each of these?